Enhanced stimulation and weaker sedation among more impulsive individuals may be genetically mediated. Impulsivity and related constructs (e.g., conduct disorder) share common genetic liability with alcohol and other substance disorders (Kendler et al. 2003; Krueger et al. 2002; Young et al. 2000) and individual differences in subjective response to alcohol have also been tied to genetic factors (Heath et al. 1999; Roh et al. 2011; Schuckit 1999). However, relationships among subjective response to alcohol, impulsivity and alcohol dependence risk are likely to be complex. Family history and impulsivity were not related significantly in the present study and similar null results have been reported earlier (Schuckit and Smith 2000).
